The Colorful Stars of 2001 Australian gateball's popular female player and inconspicuous strongman
Keith Mc LEOD
Profile: Australia Gateball Executive Committee Office Coordinator and member of the behind-the-scenes management staff of the Australian Championships, 64 years old


Elaine COVERDALE
Profile: Captain of the Victoria State representative Essendon team, keen hockey and croquet player, 31 years old, works at a law office


These are two individuals who represent the steady development of gateball in Australia and the 2nd International Australian Championships held in November. The tall, mild, gentlemanly Keith together with the Australia Croquet Society's Chairperson, Peter Tavender, formed the Gateball Executive Committee. Keith has also worked tirelessly behind the scenes to promote gateball in Victoria. His efforts to organize the 2nd Championships and gain the support of the Victoria State government are among his great achievements. It would be difficult to discuss Australian gateball without mention of him.
He got to know gateball four years ago when he took part in the 7th World Championships held in Hawaii in '98. At present, he an active player with the Dandenong Sparks team. He is also one of the countries top experts on rules and tactics. He is very enthusiastic about sending a number of teams from Australia to the 8th World Championships to be held in Toyama Prefecture next year.
On the other hand, Elaine is active as one of Australia's top players. She has an excellent record in local croquet tournaments and her ball control is outstanding. She became attracted to gateball after participating in a tournament held in Victoria State last year. Since then she practices hard once a week and is improving rapidly. As team captain, she is keener than anyone on studying tactics. When asked what she finds interesting about gateball, she immediately replied, “technique, the intellectual play and speed”, and with regard to the difficulty of the game, she said, “tactics and the '10-second rule'” She also added, “I certainly want to participate in next yearfs World Championships.”